Myths and Legends

Jason Weiser tells stories from myths, legends, and folklore that have shaped cultures throughout history. Some, like the stories of Aladdin, King Arthur, and Hercules are stories you think you know, but with surprising origins. Others are stories you might not have heard, but really should. All the stories are sourced from world folklore, but retold for modern ears. These are stories of wizards, knights, Vikings, dragons, princesses, and kings from the time when the world beyond the map was a dangerous and wonderful place.

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Finishing up the twelve labors, Hercules fights way, way too many things: a giant boar, a giant bull, vicious birds, man-eating horses, the three-headed hell hound Cerberus, and more, all as penance for his crime.

The creature of the week are invisible weasel brothers that might give you a small cut or two...or might cut off your legs...all without you feeling it.

The story of Hercules is one part gritty, serious tragedy and two parts over-the-top monster fights. This week, in the origin story of one of the greatest mythological heroes of the western world, we get to see the human side of the demigod before the story goes completely off-the-rails and it's just one big monster fight topping the next. But don't worry, there are also monster fights this episode.

We'll see that Zeus is essentially the Don Draper of the Greek pantheon, only without all that pesky introspection or likability, and that if your husband cheats on you, you should bring down horrible punishments on everyone but him.

On the creature of the week, it's a grotesque little piggy that just needs a hug.

Instead of one long story, this week I'm telling four stories about canines from folklore from all around the world. We'll go back to the Norse gods and goddesses where Loki will make more poor choices. Then I'll talk about the legend of the black dog of the UK and Ireland. There's the weird and hilarious story of a little dog that was made king of Denmark, and how the people took it surprisingly seriously. Finally, I'll round out the show with the saddest story about a dog you've ever heard.
Also, I know Fenrir is a wolf and not a dog, but his inclusion will fit with the narrative arc of the show, I promise.
On the creature of the week, it's a tiny, angry old man who lives in an anthill and really, really wants you to stay off his lawn.
Say Hi on Twitter: @Mythpodcast
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E-mail: Jason@mythpodcast.com
My miniature dachshund, Abbie!
The dog king riddle
Music:
"Living Legends" by False Awakenings
"Ambient" by Strange Day
"In the End" by The Losers
"If There's Time" by Odesza
"Something Elated" by Broke for Free
"Wandering" by Steve Combs

A short supplemental on one of the inspirations for Merlin, a man named Myrddin the Wyllt, a Welsh warrior bard who went insane after seeing his friends die on the battlefield and ran off to a life in the forest. It would have been fine if people didn't keep dragging him back to civilization...or if he had thought at all about what he would do during the winter. You'll see that "insane" in this story is kind of a loose term for "I just want a little 'me' time in the forest."
On the creature of the week, you'll meet that thing that yells all night in your kitchen and shatters all your good plates, and I'll guess at what she's doing with all that evil linen thread she's spinning.

The real story of the Little Mermaid is way more violent and grim than the Disney version, and does not have a happy ending. It's the story of a teenage mermaid who falls in love with a human and makes a deal to get legs, but that's where the similarities end. The original includes bald mermaids, daggers, and a great way to blackmail your kids into being good.
If you've ever wanted to know way, way too much detail about a mermaid society, but hate it when your characters have names or plausible motivations, this story is for you. But really, it's very weird, and it makes you wonder why it has not only survived to the modern day, but is incredibly popular and has inspired multiple retellings.
In the creature of the week, an ape man you can't hide anything from, but who has an extremely short attention span.
Connect with me on twitter: @mythpodcast
My e-mail: jason@mythpodcast.com
Find the show on iTunes!
Songs:
“The Temperature of the Air on the Bow of the Kaleetan” by Chris Zabriskie
"Hypnic Jerk" by Smith Comma John
"La Valse de Marian" by Marian Badoi
"Keep on Moving" by Ton
"Rewound" by Chris Zabriskie
"Archimedes" by Jason Staczek
"Something Elated" by Broke for Free
"Wandering" by Steve Combs